Dalit Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DICCI)

Dalit Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) which was based in Pune till now, is launched its Delhi chapter on Saturday, the 5th November, 2011"
50-odd Dalit entrepreneurs from across India attended the inauguration of the Delhi chapter of DICCI (Dalit India Chamber of Commerce and Industry).
The event, a cocktail-cum-dinner party at India International Centre on Saturday evening, was not simply a celebration of Dalit wealth but a recognition of the struggles the community has been through. The function heralded the arrival of a new social order. Take for instance Sharvan Singh, son of a labourer in an Agra shoe factory, who now heads his own shoe business. He acknowledges the fact that doing business as a Dalit is no easy task. For starters, he points out that despite a government policy on no-guarantee loans for Dalits, most banks insist on collateral.
The gathering included the likes of Shishupal Singh, a Delhi-based garment exporter with clients in France, Spain and Italy, as well as Mumbai's Dalit czarina Kalpana Saroj, who runs Kamani Tubes Limited.
''By showcasing Dalit entrepreneurship, we are sending out a message to society that, despite all odds, Dalits can succeed,'' said Chandra Bhan Prasad, Dalit activtist and author.
DICCI started its Mumbai chapter earlier this year. The Delhi chapter is the fifth of its kind across the country. ''In another six months, we hope to have 25 chapters across India,'' said DICCI chairman Milind Kamble, who founded the organisation in Pune in 2005.
To know more about DICCI Click here Courtesy:The Times of India, Delhi

Dalit Venture Capital

Almost a year ago, Dalit businessmen met with Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia to talk about how the government could support entrepreneurs from India’s historically disadvantaged groups, the dalits.At the Saturday gathering, which also saw the creation of a Delhi chapter of the chamber, the minister who lobbied for the procurement policy change said the government was now considering creating a “Dalit venture capital fund.” Dalit entrepreneurs say one of the major hurdles they face is a lack of financing options.

NEWS - BUSINES OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DALITS

4% of govt purchases will have to be from dalit, tribal-run firms

The Union Cabinet has approved a procurement policy wherein all government departments and public sector undertakings (PSUs) will give preference to micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in the procurement of goods and services they (government) make. The government will in three years be mandated to make 20% of all its procurement from MSEs, and a fifth of this would be done from enterprises run by SC/ST entrepreneurs.
With this SC/ST entrepreneurs can have an opportunity worth about Rs.7,000-Rs.10,000 crore a year apart from their regular market.
Dalit Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry chairman Milind Kamble welcomed the move: “This is a historic decision and we welcome it as a step towards inclusive growth. The greatest challenge will be in implementation and we are ready to cooperate.”